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oba

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /ˈoʊbə/

KK: /oba/

noun
Definition

A hereditary leader or king from certain ethnic groups in Benin and Nigeria.


Example

The oba welcomed the guests with traditional ceremonies.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you ever heard about the title of oba in Nigeria?
Sloth B
Yeah, I think it's a title for a king or chief, right?
Sloth A
Exactly! They have such a rich history and culture associated with it.
Sloth B
I’d love to learn more about how they choose their oba.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
king
chief
ruler
Antonyms
commoner
subject
peasant
Root Explanation

This word originates from Yoruba, meaning mother or a term of respect for an elder woman.

Memory Tip

Think of the Yoruba word for mother, 'oba', which helps you remember that it signifies a maternal figure or a respected elder woman.

Visually Confused Words
toba
boba
ba
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